This charming fishing village, founded in the Middle Ages, enjoys a privileged location on the banks of the river Sella and protected from the rough Cantabrian Sea by Monte Corbero. Water and rock mark the character of Ribadesella, from the beautiful beach of Santa Marina, where you can see colourful Indian mansions, to the caves that served as a refuge for our ancestors. An essential visit if you are visiting Asturias.  

The Sella descends vertiginously from the deep valleys of the Picos de Europa to merge with the waters of the Cantabrian Sea in a mouth of spectacular beauty. The river twists and turns as it reaches the sea, forming a natural harbour that has served as a refuge for the region's inhabitants from prehistoric times to the present day. On the western bank of the Sella is the CUEVA Y CENTRO DE ARTE RUPESTRE DE TITO BUSTILLO, one of the most important groups of Palaeolithic Rock Art declared a World Heritage Site in July 2008. This prehistoric "pinacoteca" offers dozens of wall paintings dating from between 33,000 and 10,000 BC showing horses, deer, bison, whales and even human figures.  

Returning to the town centre on the other bank of the Sella, we can enjoy its pleasant old quarter marked by seafaring life. Founded in 1270 by Alfonso X the Wise, the town has always lived around its port. Whaling, river or deep-sea fishing and maritime trade provided this town with sufficient resources to finance the construction of architectural gems such as the Renaissance palace of Prieto Cutre (now the Town Hall) or the church of Santa María Magdalena. Following the harbour walk along the Paseo de la Grúa, it is possible to discover the history of the town through the 6 panels by the cartoonist Mingote that narrate the most important events in Ribadesella. At the end of this path, you can access the best panoramic view of Ribadesella's surroundings from the Ermita de la Virgen de la Guía (Chapel of the Virgin of the Guide). From the top, you can see the port, the beach of Santa Marina, the small palaces of the new town and the meander formed by the Sella at its mouth.   

Ribadesella is also the finishing point of one of the most outstanding sporting events on the national scene, the International Descent of the Sella. This is a world-renowned canoe race that takes place on the first Saturday in August and brings together the best canoeists in this speciality. The canoeists are supported by thousands of spectators who attend this event every year, which has earned it the status of a festival of International Tourist Interest. Due to the influence of this event and the beauty of the natural environment, the Sella Valley has become one of the most emblematic places in Spain for the practice of CANOE and SEA KAYAKING.